Monday Motivators
"You're unique, just like everyone else." - Gretchen Rubin
Hey everyone! Here’s what I’m into this week!
What I’m reading:
Just Because by Matthew McConaughey is a children’s book that every child should have and every adult should read. It’s a beautiful tale of contradictions, a reminder that two things and two feelings can exist at the same time, and it makes you think. I bought it for my kids a few years back for Christmas, and I find myself reading it when life gets tough. My favorite line is “Just because they can’t hear you, doesn’t mean you have no voice.” And if you want to hear McConaughey sing his book lyrics on Jimmy Fallon, here it is. You won’t be disappointed.
What I’m learning:
Raising Good Humans: The Secrets of Adulthood & How to Teach Them to Our Children with Gretchen Rubin. I have to admit that I am struggling with the transition of raising my daughter who is becoming a young, independent woman. The struggle is mine and mine alone. She is maturing and growing and doing all the age-appropriate things someone her age should be doing. I am learning how to let go and communicate my 46-years of wisdom with someone who is on her own journey. This podcast is all about the paradox of life (are you seeing a theme with this Monday Motivator???) and it’s beautiful. If you have a teenager in your home, it’s a great 45-minute podcast.
What I’m eating:
I’m kind of obsessed with pretzels. Soft pretzels. Hard pretzels. Pretzel sticks. I love them all. But I’m also on a wellness journey to find food with minimal ingredients. If I can make soft pretzels with three or four ingredients, food manufacturers should, too. Enter these ahhhhmmmazing Utz sourdough pretzels. They have four ingredients: wheat flour, salt, yeast and baking soda. And they are extra good dipped into ginger ale. Trust me. (And yes, there is a barrel of pretzels in my car. And yes, I snapped a pic while waiting for my daughter to finish an audition.)
What I’m watching:
Shonda Rhimes does it again. She is the creator behind so many hits like Bridgerton, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and her newest series The Residence is another masterpiece. There are so many incredible actors in this series. Uzo Aduba plays Detective Cordelia Cupp in this Clue-like dark comedy, and she is as exceptional as she was in Orange is the New Black. My two other favorite actors are: Susan Kelechi Watson from This is Us, who plays Jasmine Haney, White House assistant usher and Isiah Whitlock Jr. from Your Honor, who plays Larry Dokes, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. I can’t wait to see how this series unfolds.
What I’m listening to:
Two songs are cycling through my playlist right now: “Girls” by Rachel Platten, “Find your people” by Drew Holcomb and “Geronimo” by Sheppard. All three of these songs open up my heart in ways only music can do.
What I’m wearing:
I bought this striped oversize sweatshirt for $25.99 on Amazon and it’s a great piece — comfortable, colorful and great quality. I don’t buy a ton of clothes on Amazon because the quality varies, but this one was a great purchase. I love the poofy sleeves and I get a ton of compliments on it. P.S. The pic below is not me. :)
